The best cell phone plans for families in the U.S. - Android

It's nice to have your entire family on the same cell phone plan, but it's even nicer if you can save money at the same time. Most U.S. carriers have moved away from the traditional family plan as a name and have started offering discounts for having multiple lines on an account, which still works perfectly. Though the right plan for you depends on your coverage, T-Mobile offers some of the best cell phone plans you can get, and the Magenta plan is no exception. Its unlimited data allotment, generous hotspot data, and a bonus Netflix subscription make it one of the best family cell phone plans you can get today.

Best Overall: T-Mobile Magenta

T-Mobile delivers fast data and doesn't fall short when it comes to giving you excellent value. Thanks to its "third line for free" perk, it's a wonderful choice for families looking for a solid plan that won't cost a fortune. Fortunately, T-Mobile has a rapidly growing 5G network that you'll be able to access if you're on any of its three core plans, but the best value option is the middle ground unlimited Magenta plan. If you're looking for something even more affordable, there is the Essentials plan that also includes unlimited data, but it has fewer features and doesn't include taxes and fees like the Magenta and top-tier Magenta MAX plans do.

The Magenta plan is one of the best cheap cell phone plans around and starts at $70 per month for one line (with an AutoPay discount), but the cost per line quickly drops to $60 with a second line, or $120 total. With that second line, you also get the bonus of Netflix included. Lines three, four, and five are priced at $47, $40, and $36 per month respectively. So for three lines, you can expect to pay $140 per month total, $160 per month total for four lines, and $180 per month total for five lines. Again, taxes and fees are included.

While this plan only streams videos at 480p quality, customers are allowed to use a massive 100GB before their data is deprioritized. An unlimited hotspot feature is also available with 5GB high-speed data, which is later unlimited at 3G speeds. This plan also has a bunch of international perks, including unlimited 2G data and texting in foreign countries, along with 5GB of 4G LTE data in Mexico and Canada (unlimited at 2G speeds). The Magenta plan is an overall excellent option for families that don't hold back when consuming data and don't want to be slowed down. With Netflix included as well as taxes and fees, it's a hard deal to pass up.

Pros:

• Fast T-Mobile LTE and 5G network
• Netflix included
• 100GB before deprioritization
• 5GB of high-speed hotspot data (then unlimited)
• International benefits

Cons:

• SD video streaming
• Small high-speed hotspot data amount

Best Overall

T-Mobile Magenta

• From $140/mo. for four lines at T-Mobile

Tons of data

A Netflix subscription is included with T-Mobile's Magenta plan, but that's not all. With unlimited data that won't be deprioritized until you reach 100GB, you can stream as much as you want and also use 5GB of high-speed hotspot data.

Best Value: Cricket Wireless

Cricket Wireless is an MVNO owned by AT&T and a great choice for families who are willing to pay in advance. Its top unlimited plan (Unlimited Cricket More) costs $60 per month, but its second-tier unlimited plan (Unlimited Cricket Core) at $55 per month is actually a better deal. When you sign up for four lines on this plan, you'll only pay $100 per month total, with taxes already included, and no contract is necessary.

With the Unlimited Cricket Core plan, you won't just get a good deal. You'll also get unlimited data at 8Mbps, which can be slowed if the network is busy, as well as unlimited talk and text. You're able to text internationally to 37 countries and use your phone in Mexico and Canada. Though there's no mobile hotspot data with Cricket Core, you can add it for an extra $10 per month for 10GB.

If you really can't get over the 8Mbps speed limit, you can upgrade and get the Unlimited Cricket More plan with 5G access. You'll pay $90 per month total for two lines on this plan, $110 per month total for three lines, and $130 per month total for four lines. It's not quite as cheap, but it's still a great deal, and you'll get 15GB of mobile hotspot data along with it. Overall, Cricket has a plan for everyone's needs, making it a great option to consider if you want to take advantage of its multi-line discounts.

Pros:

• Unlimited talk, text, and data with top two plans
• Unlimited texts from the U.S. to 37 countries with top two plans
• Multi-line discounts
• Usage in Mexico and Canada
• AT&T's network

Cons:

• SD video streaming
• Data speeds capped on most plans
• Mobile hotspot included only with Unlimited Cricket More

Best Value

Cricket Wireless

• From $100/mo. with four lines at Cricket Wireless

No strings attached

Four lines on one of Cricket Wireless's Unlimited plans will only cost you $100, but you'll get unlimited talk, text, and data (8Mbps) in return. If you have AT&T coverage, this a great choice to consider with a lot of worthy multi-line discounts.

Best LTE Network: Verizon Wireless

This plan isn't all about the price so much as it's about the coverage and features. Verizon's LTE network continues to outperform all of the others in network consistency and time spent on LTE, and it has a growing 5G network. Verizon lets you easily mix and match its unlimited plans and has a Just Kids option specifically for the younger ones. The savings per line increase with the number of lines you have, but the most basic unlimited plan (Start Unlimited) starts at $70 per line and decreases to $60 for two lines ($120 total), $45 per line for three lines ($135 total), or $35 per line for four lines ($140 total).

Most people will likely be content with the lowest tier Start Unlimited plan thanks to its unlimited talk, text, and data, but keep in mind that taxes and fees aren't included, which will bring up your monthly bill. Also, the figures above take into account an AutoPay and paper-free billing discount, so you can expect to pay more if you're not interested. Sadly this plan doesn't include any hotspot data, and data speeds may be reduced during times of congestion. If it's important to have more consistent data on a line, more expensive unlimited plans with an allotment of premium, or prioritized, LTE and 5G data are available.

If you have one line on one of Verizon's unlimited plans, you can add a second line on the Just Kids plan, which is an easy way to save more money. You'll pay $50 extra for one line on the Just Kids plan, $40 per line for two Just Kids lines, and so on. This plan includes unlimited data at 5Mbps on Verizon's 5G Nationwide and 4G LTE network, unlimited talk and text to 20 contacts, access to the Verizon Smart Family app, parental controls, and location tracking. This can be a good way to limit and monitor a younger person's phone use while everyone else gets to sign up for the plan that works best for them.

Pros:

• Mix and match unlimited plans
• Dedicated plan for kids
• Massive and reliable Verizon network
• Unlimited data, talk, and text
• Certain plans come with Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ included

Cons:

• SD video streaming on most plans
• No hotspot on the Start Unlimited plan
• Not compatible with all unlocked phones
• Expensive

Best LTE Network

Verizon Wireless Start Unlimited

• From $140/mo. with four lines at Verizon

Kid-friendly plans

You can mix and match plans with Verizon and take advantage of one of the country's best data networks. If you have one unlimited line, you can add an affordable Just Kids plan, so everyone gets the plan that suits them best.

Best Mix and Match: AT&T Wireless

Much like Verizon's Start Unlimited plan, AT&T offers a similar Unlimited Starter plan that could be worth it over other carriers if you find that AT&T's network is strong enough in your area. The Unlimited Starter plan can be mixed and matched with all of AT&T's core plans, so everyone isn't tied to the same plan. If mom wants to get the Unlimited Elite plan, which comes with an HBO MAX subscription and HD streaming included, she can do so while everyone else gets something cheaper.

With Unlimited Starter, you'll get the basics such as unlimited data, talk, text, 5G access, and SD video streaming. Unfortunately, your data may slow down on this plan, and it doesn't come with a hotspot option. Still, you do get a few international benefits such as Mexico and Canada's usage and unlimited texting from the U.S. to 120+ countries. It serves as a great plan for a younger family member or anyone who doesn't mind seeing slower speeds on occasion.

For one line, this plan starts at $65 per month, $60 per line per month for two lines ($120 total), $45 per line for three lines ($135 total), or $35 per line for four lines ($140 total). However, taxes and fees aren't included, and these numbers reflect an AutoPay and paperless billing discount. The good news is that if you want to lower your monthly bill further, you can check to see whether you're eligible for a discount from your school, workplace, or other organization through AT&T's Signature Program. This could reduce your bill by at least $10 per month if someone in your family is on the AT&T Unlimited Elite plan.

Pros:

• Fast AT&T LTE and 5G network
• Unlimited data, talk, and text
• Mix and match option
• Unlimited talk, text, and data in Mexico and Canada
• Unlimited international texting

Cons:

• 480p video streaming
• Expensive
• Data may be deprioritized
• No mobile hotspot data

Best Mix and Match

AT&T Wireless Unlimited Starter

• From $140/mo. for four lines at AT&T

Customized for the family

AT&T has one of the best LTE networks around and offers plenty of ways to use it, from unlimited data plans that you can mix and match as well as a potential Signature Program discount to reduce your bill further.

Best Prepaid: Walmart Family Mobile Truly Unlimited

Walmart Family Mobile is an MVNO that leverages T-Mobile's network, which guarantees that many phones will be compatible, especially if they were bought unlocked. Since Walmart Family Mobile is a prepaid network, you don't have to worry about contracts, and if it doesn't work for you in the end, you're not stuck.

The thing that makes Family Mobile have such good value is that adding a line is only $24.88 on top of the base plan, which costs $49.88. You'll pay $74.76 per month for two lines, $99.64 for three lines, and $124.52 for four lines. If you go ahead and pick the truly unlimited plan, each line will get the same perks, including unlimited talk, text, and high-speed 4G LTE data.

Though deprioritization is technically held off until 40GB, your speeds could still slow down if there is network congestion. But you'll still get an impressive 30GB hotspot, HD video streaming, and unlimited calling to Mexico and Canada if you don't mind being occasionally deprioritized. Overall, Walmart's plan is a great option for a family that wants to save some money while avoiding contracts.

Pros:

• Large T-Mobile network
• Tons of compatible phones
• Unlimited data
• 30GB of hotspot data
• HD video streaming

Cons:

• High single line prices
• Data speeds can be deprioritized

Best Prepaid

Walmart Family Mobile Truly Unlimited

• From $125/mo. for 4 lines at Walmart Family Mobile

Add a line for $25

No matter which plan you pick, adding another line with Walmart Family Mobile is just $25. The Truly Unlimited plan gets you 30GB of hotspot data, HD streaming, and of course, unlimited data for a great price.

Best for the Modern Family: Visible

Visible is an MVNO owned by Verizon and only offers one plan at a competitive $40 per month per line with unlimited data. This plan can make a lot of sense for a family that still wants to save money but has grown out of sharing a traditional family plan. With Visible's Party Pay, your monthly bill comes down to $35 per line with two accounts linked. Three and four lines bring the price down to $30 and as low as $25 per month. If you're a "family" of four, you could be paying only $100 per month.

Since it's not strictly a family plan, Visible can also be used with friends or roommates without worrying about anyone missing a payment since each account is responsible for its own bill. Each plan comes with unlimited data, talk, and text, as well as unlimited mobile hotspot data at 5MBps. Calling and texting to Mexico and Canada is included, but the best part of a Visible plan is that there aren't any hidden fees, contracts, or taxes that'll surprise you each month. When there's congestion, your data may be slowed, but this is worth the affordable price for many.

Pros:

• Unlimited data, talk, and text
• Unlimited hotspot (5Mbps)
• Verizon LTE and 5G network
• Extremely affordable
• Party Pay discount

Cons:

• Data may be slowed when the network is congested
• Limited phone compatibility
• No roaming
• Limited international benefits
• No stores

Best for the modern family

Visible

• $25/line with a party of four at Visible

Savings without sharing

Visible lets you manage your own account and forget about collecting monthly payments with "Party Pay." You'll pay $100 per month for four lines and still have a great unlimited plan on a huge network.

Bottom line

When it comes to making sure your family is connected, one of the biggest factors will be which network has the best coverage in your area. Thankfully, nearly every carrier has improved its coverage and is constantly expanding to cover more areas. Whether you need lots of data or are just looking to save some money, there are several family plans out there that will meet your needs.

T-Mobile's Magenta plan stands out as the best family cell phone plan and offers great features along with reliable coverage and data speeds. For $140 per month for four lines, your Magenta plan will come with a Netflix subscription included, unlimited data (at home and abroad), and 5GB of high-speed mobile hotspot (later unlimited at 3G speeds). It's one of the best value plans you can get for your family with little room for anyone to complain.

Credits — The team that worked on this guide

Samuel Contreras When Samuel is not writing about networking and carriers, he spends most of his time researching computer components and obsessing over what CPU goes into the ultimate Windows 98 computer. It's the Pentium 3.

Olivia Lipski is a freelance writer for Android Central and loves testing out the latest kitchen tech and discovering the best cell phone plans. When she's not busy running around NYC trying to find great food or coffee, she's in her kitchen trying to make it herself.